Warning - Viking Bags

[Dwirfel]

About three and a half months ago I ordered a set of bags from Viking Bags after confirming with their customer service that they would fit the "unique" setup of the Rocket. They seemed very helpful in answering my questions about the bags and fitment, as well as detailing how to get them shipped to limit or avoid the customs brokerage fee on arrival.

When the bags finally showed up, I was assessed a $70 brokerage fee because despite my request in the order, they sent them via ground, resulting in the highest fee possible. I complained to the company about this and was told that just because they could send them differently so that I wouldn't have to pay that, it would mean more effort on their end so that's why they didn't. To make it right, they said if I sent them a picture of the bags on the bike they would send me a tailbag worth about $40. This offer came at about the same time as an automated email saying that anyone buying bags that sent in a picture get that bag.

I got the bags home and test fitted them to the bike. Not even close. The convenient shock cut-out was right where the mounting bracket needed to bolt on, and moving it up and forward enough to allow for mounting had the top above the passenger seat and about 5" of the bag coming forward into the drivers seat.

Complaint number 2 to the company. After over a month of emails where they said that I could ship them back and pay a restocking fee and end up out of pocket for about $140 all told, I finally got someone on the phone. The conversation was about 30 minutes long, and the rep agreed to refund half of the brokerage fee, one way shipping for the return of the bags, send a different pair and refund the difference. They would send the new bags properly so that I would not be paying out of pocket again. This would be a refund of $95, $50 of which I had to pay out in advance to ship the bags back. I asked for an email confirming the details of the conversation and was told I would get it that day but nothing ever arrived.

2 weeks ago the new bags finally landed, along with a $20 brokerage fee that I had to pay again. Shortly after I got an email stating that they had refunded me $45. I sent an inquiry as to when I could expect to see the other $70 (remainder plus second brokerage) and was told it would be in my account within 4 days. This refund never surfaced and the following email stated that they never agreed to any such refund.

Trying to mount the bags, the brackets included barely fit, but did involve cutting part of the liner out of the inside of the bag to make room for the bolts and redrilling the brackets as they were not finished properly. The other hardware in the mounting kit was surprisingly also wrong. The bolts were far too short and the wrong thread. I have since ordered a set of Easy Brackets just so that I can finally get the bags mounted.
Another email was sent, again asking for the remainder of the refund and recommending that they double check their fitment guidelines as they must have the wrong specs for the Rocket.

Within 15 minutes of that email my phone rang. I was informed that the owner of the company had decided that the issue was closed and if I wanted to see any more refund from them I would have to pursue legal action. He stated that they knew that suing them would cost me more than the remainder of my refund and therefore I would drop it. When I questioned how a company could treat customers like this he said flat out "Maybe your standards are just a little too high." I asked if he were in my situation if he would find this reasonable, at which point he hung up on me.


I intend to post this to every club and riders forum I can find to warn people away from this company, as well as to the Los Angeles BBB and any consumer watchdogs I can find in their local media. My hope is to cost them at least 100 times the $70 that they decided was so important to them, and to give them that value back again in bad press. This is the worst company I have ever had to deal with. I can't speak to the quality of the bags, they're still not mounted.

I know that this is way in your past, but thanks for the heads up. I'm looking for bags now and saw this company enough times to get me courious. BUT NOT ANY MORE!!! Thanks again!

 

[CanberraR3]

Don't you love it when this happens. Timely reminder. Excellent.

 

[TRath]

Well, he made good on his word. New bags came in, free of charge with no shipping or customs charges. Quality looks pretty decent and they fit the bike. Can't speak to the mounting kit as I'm using Easy Brackets.

I'm not sure that I could ever recommend Viking, but under their new management they look to me moving in the right direction. Quality is up and there was honest, proper communication all the way through. I'm in Calgary so I probably won't have the Roc out until May to see how they ride but from the looks of things I don't have any concerns. I consider my issues with Viking Bags to be closed. I have given the facts and tried to keep my emotions out of it, make of it what you will.

 

[jthree]

So I guess I went a little against the grain and decided to give these guys a try. The main reason being, they are so much less expensive than anyone else and I had read some positive comments elsewhere. I sent a couple of inquiries to Viking, both of which received prompt replies. I actually ordered the bags through Motorcyclehouse.com (which I believe is actually a Viking offshoot). The reason being, they offered free shipping within the US. I have a friend and fellow rider who lives in Michigan who is kind enough to ship stuff up for me occasionally. The shipping from Viking to Canada via USPS was $70 but I got it for $30.

I ordered the bags on Saturday and the arrived in Michigan the following Thursday. My friend shipped them on Friday and I received them today and they are now on the bike mounted with "Easy Brackets"

They may not be the best quality bag sold but are pretty ****ed good for $140 IMO. Solid construction and they look excellent on the bike.

While I realize the OP had a really bad experience, I felt I should post my positive experience. If, in fact, the new management at Viking is turning things around, then they deserve some positive feedback.

 

[TRath]

Agreed. The new Viking is a completely different company than the way they were. I also had to respect that when speaking with Bobby at Viking, he didn't ask me to take this thread down but instead to reopen it once he made things right. More than anything else in our latest interactions, it was that that impressed me the most.

 

[Dwirfel]

I recently purchased a set of bags from Leatherneckjim.com. The decision was much easier for me than usual based on this thread... The Viking bags were tempting me, but I don't need the hassel... I'm still waiting for the bags, but I will let you all know how it goes soon.

I'm glad to hear that you are finally satisified. Maybe I would have reconsidered had I known of their new attitude prior to my purchase, but maybe this is a better choice for me.. We'll see.

 

[Wrecka]

They've experienced the Rath of Travis. [sorry ]

My Viking sissy bar bag turned up without a hitch 8 working days after i ordered it , was happy with service , price and quallity , personally ill be ordering some saddle bags in the future , sorry to hear they stuffed you a round mate.

 

[ksquared]

Excellent write-up detail, you've sold me on not doing business with them and spreading the word their customer service is for sh!t. Thanks for the tip.

+1 - PERMANENTLY!

 

[McWrencherson]

I ordered a set of viking bags for my roadster a couple weeks ago. If I read this thread prior to ordering I likely would not have purchased from viking based on you guys' experience.

That said my experience with Viking has been positive so far. The price was great. Shipping was fair however I did have to wait an extra week because my item was backordered. The guys at the office kept me posted via email of the backorder progress. The product seems sturdy built and included hardware. I will install them when I get home later this week, post pics and offer opinions on their fitment.

I'm sorry to hear about the run around some of you had to deal with. Sounds infuriating.

But so far my experience has been positive.

 

[Wrecka]

Mate i ordered off them from Aus and got my order as requested in good time, think this being an old post and a change of management and marketing strategy has made a huge difference to the experience others got when this thread started.